The Home Office has issued a stark warning to British shoppers anticipating parcel deliveries this Black Friday, as criminals ramp up sophisticated impersonation scams targeting popular couriers like Evri.
Record Levels of Delivery Fraud
With the festive shopping season intensifying, new data reveals the scale of the threat. Almost 10,000 cases of delivery fraud were reported to Evri during last year's Black Friday period alone. The sheer volume of parcels circulating makes it easier for fraudsters to blend in, exploiting the public's anticipation of online orders.
These criminals primarily use phishing tactics, sending convincing text and email messages that appear to be from legitimate delivery companies. The messages often claim a parcel cannot be delivered or requires urgent action, pressuring recipients to click on malicious links.
How the Scams Operate
Once a victim clicks a link, they are directed to a counterfeit website designed to mimic the official sites of companies like Evri. There, they are prompted to enter sensitive personal details or make a small payment to 'release' their parcel, thereby handing financial data directly to criminals.
Lee Howard, Head of Information Security at Evri, explained the method: "These criminals use what we call the ‘spray and pray’ method, taking advantage of the millions of parcels we deliver. They know some messages will reach people genuinely expecting a delivery." He specifically debunked one common trick, stating, "We will never charge a re-delivery fee. We attempt delivery three times before an item is returned."
Official Advice to Stay Safe
The government's 'Stop! Think Fraud' campaign is central to the fight against this crime. Lord Hanson, the Fraud Minister, urged vigilance: "A message that looks routine could be a scam aimed at taking your hard-earned money. Always remember: Stop! Think Fraud before acting on any delivery message."
The government has already worked with mobile networks to block over one billion scam text messages and is strengthening its Fraud Strategy. For shoppers, practical steps include:
- Never clicking on links in unexpected delivery messages.
- Contacting the company directly through their official website or app.
- Avoiding payment by bank transfer; using a credit card offers more protection.
- Forwarding suspicious texts to 7726 and reporting suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.
The financial impact is significant. According to the City of London Police, online shopping fraud cost UK consumers £11.8 million during the previous festive period, highlighting the critical need for public awareness this shopping season.
